PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said she will not resign from the presidency even as she shielded her family from allegations of irregularities.

Arroyo made the statement in a speech after a Mass at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall amid calls for her resignation or ouster due to corruption, particularly on the national broadband deal between the Philippine government and Chinese-firm ZTE.

"Ako ang pangulo, walang iba. Ako ang nagpapasya sa mga usapin ng pamahalaan at hindi iyong mga wala sa tungkulin," she declared in a well-applauded speech that ended in a standing ovation.

"Ang aking pamilya ay hindi nagne-negosyo sa pamahalaan. Hindi katanggap-tanggap kung hindi ganoon at alam nila iyan," she said.

There was no Cabinet member attending to the President during the Mass.

Only Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. was seated beside her while her children – except for daughter Evangelina Lourdes – and grandchildren were on the other side of the aisle.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is in Hong Kong for an acupuncture treatment.

The Palace Mass was celebrated by Bishop Raul Martires of the Green Meadows Parish and con-celebrated by Fr. Moises Cabrera of Sta. Perpetua Parish (Cubao), Fr. Renato Gella of St. Joseph the Worker Parish (Balintawak), and Fr. Jimmy Geron of San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish, all in Quezon City.

Arroyo said she will "follow the Constitution and my own wishes to stay in power until the end of my term."

She said that "without a doubt" she will step down in 2010.

She said she remains bullish about the economy and the country’s future.

"I am deeply committed to being a force for good. Mahal natin ang taongbayan. I will forever be humble for having had the privilege of serving the nation," she added.

Arroyo reiterated her statement that the world "will not forgive an Edsa 3 in 2008" although it embraced Edsa 1 in 1986 and tolerated Edsa 2 in 2001.

She warned that the world would condemn the Philippines instead "as a country whose political system is hopelessly unstable."

"Under these circumstances, who would invest in the Philippines? How do you weather the difficulties arising from the spikes in the price of crude oil in the world market and the global economic slowdown?" she said.

She said the ordinary Filipino wants political stability, a bright economic future, and social justice.

She said she will champion the fight for the three Es – economy, environment, and education – to lift the country and get it ready for the next generation of leaders.

"Beyond policies and programs, our people want leaders who are God-fearing, pro-poor, unafraid to make tough choices, hard working and loyal to the people of the nation. These are the values I live by. These are the values I expect to be judged when we meet our Maker," she said. – Regina Bengco